Toddler Airlifted To Hospital After Dog Bite In Century
February 4, 2017
A toddler was airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after being bitten by a dog in Century.
The two-year old girl was reportedly bitten in the abdomen by a Labrador mix about 3:40 p.m. Monday. The bite occurred on in the 4600 block of Highway 4A, just north off North Century Boulevard.
The child was transported by Santa Rosa Lifeguard EMS to the McDavid Fire Station and then flown by LifeFlight helicopter to Pensacola. An update on the child’s condition was not available.
The circumstances around the incident were not immediately known. Escambia County Sherrif’s deputies were on the scene looking for the dog, and Escambia County Animal Control was called.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
IP Explosion: Town Hall Addresses Health, Claims Concerns
February 3, 2017
Health issues and property claims were the hot topics at community town hall meeting Thursday night to discuss the January 22 explosion at the International Paper mill in Cantonment.
Many residents expressed concerns over personal health problems — ranging from skin irritation to difficulty breathing. Again and again, officials referred the individuals to seek care from their personal physician for any concerning issues.
Officials acknowledged that it was not known exactly what chemicals were in the air immediately after the explosion. Dr. Paul Nony, senior toxicologist. from the Center For Toxicology and Environmental Health, said it was known what should have been in the air from material safety data sheets on black liquor, which was spewed on over 100 homes and businesses around the plant. But the EPA did not arrive and begin monitoring activities until Monday.
Dr. John Lanza (pictured left), director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, said the chemicals should only cause “short term” problems, defining short term as lasting just days to weeks.
“Each one of your need to come live in our houses for a week so you can understand where we are coming from,” resident Patricia Osbahr (pictured below left) told the panel. After Lanza admitted that he has not actually visited the Woodbury neighborhood that took the brunt of the black liquor and other fallout, she blasted him.
“You work for us, you are an employee for us and you need to come see what we are talking about,” Osbahr said. Lanza made note of her address and vowed to visit her home Friday afternoon.
Resident Richard Johnson was among those that expressed concerns about lower property values and the need for IP to provide written certification that a property was remediated for any future potential buyer.
Multiple residents complained during the meeting at Tate High School about the lack of communications between residents and the paper mill, between the mill and their claims representatives and between the parties involved in the cleanup efforts.
Residents were repeatedly given the local contact phone number — (850) 968-4208 — to ask individual questions or speak to claims adjusters, and local personnel took down their names and numbers during the meeting for followup.
One man told the panel that he had agreed with claims adjusters on a dollar amount he should received, but when the check arrived it was for half, which he said they explained was due to depreciation.
“We are committed to closing those gaps and make sure that everybody’s issues are heard,” Mill Manager Brett DeJong said as he encouraged residents to continue to work with International Paper. “We are not going anywhere. We are going to be here…we are going to get this taken care of,” he said. “We are making good progress. Just stick with us a little bit longer.”
Thursday night’s meeting was held by the Unified Command, which is comprised of International Paper, Escambia County EMA/Public Safety, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Pictured top: International Paper Mill Manager Brett Dejong addresses about 150 people at a post mill explosion town hall meeting at Tate High School Thursday night. Pictured below: Woodbury Drive resident Patricia Osbar provides her address to Dr. John Lanza, health department director, after he said he had not set foot in the impacted Woodbury neighborhood. Pictured below: Additional scenes from Thursday night’s meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Woman Arrested On Animal Cruelty Charges
February 3, 2017
A Walnut Hill woman has been arrested on animal cruelty charges in case that spans back nearly two years, according to court records.
Heather Michelle Shanks, 33, was arrested this week on four counts of unlawful confinement or abandonment of an animal with bond set at $20,000. She was also booked into the Escambia County Jail on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in a misdemeanor case. If released on bond, a judge has ordered that Shanks not possess any animals.
In January 2015, Escambia County Animal Control Officers visited Shanks’ property on Lambert Bridge Road in Walnut Hill where they reported finding two thin horses, a fence down in several places and no grass or hay available. A notice of violation was left. In late February, Animal Control officers rechecked and found horses that were “very thin” and fencing still not repaired. No contact was made with Shanks.
In May 2015, Animal Control made contact with Shanks about two horses on the property, one of which was emaciated, and about downed fencing. They explained to Shanks how to correct the issues, according to court records.
Shanks was issued another violation notice in June 2015 due to her horses roaming, public nuisance, non-potable water and fencing. Animal control seized horses in late July 2015 due to them being in direct summer sunlight with no shelter or water. There was no running water on the property, and the horses were listed as being thin and dehydrated.
Animal control officers picked up additional horses and continued to receive complaints that they were roaming around the Lambert Bridge Road area during 2016.
The warrant for Shanks’ arrested was issued in early September 2016.
Jim Allen Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
February 3, 2017
Jim Allen Elementary School has named Students of the Month for January. They are Dawson Miller (left) and Shelby Coleman. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
IP Explosion: Schools Buses Return To Hard Hit Neighborhood
February 3, 2017
For the first time since the International Paper explosion, schools buses will once again roll today in the Woodbury Circle area of Cantonment.
The buses were unable to enter the neighborhood due to concerns at first over the black liquor that covered the roadways, and then due to the ongoing cleanup effort.
“We have been working closely with members of the Unified Command team to create a way to safely restore normal school bus transportation service in the Woodbury subdivision,” an Escambia County School District Transportation Director Rob Doss said.
Parents were scheduled to receive a phone call Thursday night advising them of the change.
Since the explosion, students in the area have used a temporary bus stop at the old Winn Dixie shopping center. Buses will stop there today and Monday for any students that might miss the notification that service has returned to their neighborhood.
NWE And Cantonment Baseball, Softball Registration Continuing
February 3, 2017
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park spring baseball and softball registration continues Friday, February 3, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 4, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. A copy of your child’s birth certificate is required. Registration cost for 7 years and older is $100 for first child; $85 for second and $75 for third child. Registration cost for T-ball, ages 4 – 6 is is $95 for first child; $80 for second and $70 for third child. Registration fees include $30 fee for jersey and hat and $25 concession stand fee. Pre-registration online is available at nweballpark@gmail.com; however, attendance at a registration event is required for uniform fitting. Contact Brad Sullivan (850) 324-5692 or Sara Knighten (850) 572-5000 for more information.
Registration is also continuing the Cantonment Ballpark, with in-person registration the next two Saturdays. To register, click here for the Cantonment Baseball website.
Tate High School Varsity Basketball Honors Seniors
February 3, 2017
The seniors on the Tate High School varsity basketball team were recently honored. They are (L-R) Christian Cass, Kaleb Cole, Temarques Dunnigan, and Robert Rush. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century To Hold Land Development Code Meeting
February 3, 2017
The Town of Century will hold a public workshop on Thursday, February 9 at 11 a.m. to review proposed Land Development Code changes.
The workshop will review and receive public input on proposed amendments to “Chapter 5, Resource Protection Standards” of the Town of Century Land Development Code.
The meeting will be held the council chambers of the Century Town Hall at 7995 North Century Boulevard.
Florida Lawmakers Look At Stand Alone Liquor Sale Requirements
February 3, 2017
A measure that would allow Floridians to mix vodka and veggies in their shopping carts — something prohibited for more than eight decades — sailed through a Senate committee on Thursday.
The Regulated Industries Committee, in a 9-1 vote, backed the latest proposal (SB 106) to repeal a Depression-era law requiring liquor stores and bars to be separated from groceries and other retail goods, commonly referred to as the “liquor wall.”
The measure could be a boon to some “big box” retailers. Meanwhile, lawmakers are looking to exclude some small gas stations and neighborhood convenience stores if the proposal becomes law.
The proposal, which has failed to advance in past sessions, pits retailers Wal-Mart and Target, both in favor of the repeal, against Lakeland-based shopping giant Publix and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, said she doesn’t see the proposed change causing small independent liquor stores to go out of business, as they would continue to attract “niche” customers.
“It’s a whole different demographic,” Gibson said in voting for the proposal. “I go to (an) ABC (in Jacksonville). There is a Wal-Mart I can take the next exit to go to that has a (separate) liquor store there, but I go to that ABC because they have certain brands that I don’t believe that a Wal-Mart will ever have.”
Sen. Keith Perry, a Gainesville Republican who cast the lone vote against the measure, said after the meeting he’s open to revisions in the bill but for now has concerns about access to alcohol by minors.
“I have teenage daughters, and I have a sophomore in college, and access now is pretty available, whether in bar or places,” Perry said. “It’s not the competitiveness that I’m concerned about. I think we should have less barriers for business.”
The proposal is intended by its sponsor, Miami Republican Anitere Flores, to give shoppers more convenience. The bill would allow hard spirits such as whiskey and rum to be sold alongside beer, wine and groceries in traditional supermarkets and other stores that sell groceries. The measure would also allow liquor stores to expand their grocery options.
Jason Unger, a lobbyist for Target, said the change would “enable us to meet our customers’ demands.”
Publix views stand-alone liquor stores directly adjacent to its regular stores as a business model.
Scott Dick, a lobbyist for the Florida Independent Spirits Association, said the change would give the big-box operators an unfair competitive advantage over small liquor-store owners.
“We operate under a level playing field today,” Dick said.
Charles Bailes, CEO of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, argued big-box stores have been able to compete under the existing law and that there hasn’t been a public outcry for the repeal. He also said the change would make liquor more accessible for minors to steal.
Bailes noted that earlier this month an 18-year-old was arrested on multiple charges after telling a Wal-Mart manager in The Villages that she drank five cans of beer from the beer aisle.
“Big box retailers have difficulty controlling what goes on in their stores, especially those that are minimally staffed,” Bailes said.
The bill could see some revisions in the coming weeks.
Several committee members suggested greater fines for businesses repeatedly found selling liquor to minors. Also, they pointed to a need to exclude small gas stations and convenience stores that now have licenses to sell beer and wine from obtaining liquor licenses.
A legal definition related to excluding certain gas stations and convenience stores from obtaining liquor licenses is already being crafted but remains a tricky issue, Flores said.
“7-Eleven bad, Wawa I don’t know,” Flores told the committee. “I’m open to suggestions.”
Flores added that she’d be willing to consider adding higher fines for stores and people found repeatedly selling liquor to minors as suggested by Committee Chairman Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, and supported by some opponents of the repeal.
The committee’s support Thursday indicated that the proposal could have a better chance than past versions of the bill that failed to advance through the committee process in the House and Senate. The 2017 legislative session starts March 7.
Rep. Bryan Avila, a Hialeah Republican who is sponsoring the House version of the bill (HB 81), said on Wednesday that consumers should be allowed to decide what they prefer.
“Government’s role is not to determine who wins and who loses in the market,” Avila said. “I think consumers should be the one to determine whether a particular business or company is successful.”
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Six More Weeks Of Winter? North Escambia Weather Ducks See Shadow
February 2, 2017
On this Groundhog Day, Puxatony Phil, the world famous groundhog, and the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks have both predicted six more weeks of winter.
Forklore says that if the groundhog sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, it means six more weeks of winter. We did not have a groundhog handy for a photo, but we did have the NorthEscambia.com Weather Ducks. And just like their more famous Pennsylvania weather buddy, our weather ducks also saw their shadow this morning at our office.
This was one of the few times our weather ducks that they have predicted more winter. For those that might be a little unsure as the weather ducks’ ability, we offer the two photographs below showing the weather ducks predicting six more weeks of winter on Groundhog Day 2010 and 10 days later with their snowman.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
